Pipeline Safety Blog

​Last week, Western Pennsylvania was rocked by a pipeline rupture that sent debris flying up to a half a mile away and created a fireball visible for miles. While there was only one injury reported, the incident caused significant damage to a number of homes in the vicinity necessitating an evacuation of every home within one-quarter mile of the incident. This incident certainly highlights the importance of pipeline safety but, more importantly, it underscores the responsibilities we have, as stakeholders, to ensure safe pipeline operations. You read that right; we share as much responsibility for safe pipeline operations as the pipeline operator does. Despite this incident in Western Pennsylvania, pipelines remain the safest and most efficient method of transporting natural gas. To maintain this safe track record, however, we, as pipeline safety stakeholders, must understand the roles and responsibilities we share regarding pipeline safety.

Pipeline safety is regulated by the Department of Transportation through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). According to PHMSA, there are approximately 294,000 miles of onshore gas transmission pipelines. These pipelines are subject to a number of federal safety regulations that govern every aspect of pipeline planning, design, construction, and operations. The majority of these lines existed prior to surrounding development. As populations in suburban areas grew, so did the encroachment of pipeline rights-of-way. Ironically, with greater population growth came a need for more gas pipelines and greater pipeline capacity. Due to changes in population density, many of these gas pipelines now run adjacent to schools, shopping centers, homes, and business parks. In fact, you have probably driven by several pipelines on your daily commute. The prevalence of these pipelines in our everyday routines make each of us an interested stakeholder in pipeline safety.

Trying to understand pipeline development as a stakeholder can be quite overwhelming. Thankfully, there are a number of free resources available to help you understand more about pipeline development, federal pipeline safety regulations, and our roles and responsibilities thanks to PHMSA and the Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance (“PIPA”). In January 2015, PHMSA and FEMA partnered with PIPA to publish the “Partnering to Further Enhance Pipeline Safety in Communities Through Risk-Informed Land Use Planning” document which (found here) provides a number of recommended practices that local governments, like yours, can use to manage development around pipelines in a safe manner.

Another great resource for local governments is the Evaluation Worksheet for Local Governments, also found at the PIPA website. This worksheet is a great resource that may be used to assist local governments in evaluating their own pipeline safety practices as it relates to land development. One such recommendation is the adoption of a “Transmission Pipeline Consultation Zone Ordinance” which outlines procedures requiring property developers/owners to consult with transmission pipeline operators early in the development process, so that development designs minimize the risks to the populace living or working nearby and are consistent with the needs and legal rights of the operators.

These are only two of the many resources found at the Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance website that empower you to become a more engaged stakeholder in the pipeline safety process.

One of the greatest myths surrounding pipelines and pipeline development is that the pipeline operator is solely responsible for pipeline safety. This is simply not true. While the pipeline operator has an obligation to operate the pipeline in a safe manner, we have an obligation to ensure we understand our roles and responsibilities surrounding pipelines. This not only means becoming familiar with the resources available through PHMSA and PIPA; familiarity with the regulation is simply not enough. We need to take mindful action by utilizing the 811 One Call System, communicating with pipeline operators, and becoming a more engaged stakeholder.

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Dan Garcia

Dan Garcia is a veteran of the Air Force and Pipeline Safety Consultant based in Pittsburgh, PA. Dan provides pipeline safety and regulatory compliance consulting services to pipeline operators and local governments in the Appalachian region.